An image from the Onshore Atlas Project highlights the royalty potential from the shale gas in Hants County. - Submitted

‘We need to move beyond fossil fuels’

WINDSOR, N.S. – A representative of the Ecology Action Centre says a new government study that shows a significant reserve of shale gas in parts of Hants County is a waste of time, money and expertise.

Stephen Thomas, the energy campaign coordinator with the Ecology Action Centre, was reacting to the Onshore Atlas Project, which looks into the fossil fuel potential of the province.

The new government study into the resource potential of Nova Scotia, known as the Onshore Petroleum Atlas Project, has found a significant reserve of shale gas in Hants County.

Regions surrounding the Avon River and along the Hants Shore, in what’s called the Windsor – Kennetcook Basin Study areas, are listed as the highest in qualitative shale gas potential, according to the study.

The study, which was conducted by the Department of Energy staff and external consultants, began in 2013 and wrapped up at the end of 2017, with its findings released in early January.

The numbers in the study are striking: onshore Nova Scotia may host natural gas resources, which includes coal bed methane, shale gas and conventional sources, worth $20 to $60 billion USD according to the study.

The majority of that comes from Shale potential, which would be extracted through hydraulic fracturing or fracking.

The study also says there is a $1 – 2 billion royalty potential from the Windsor – Kennetcook Basin portion of the study alone.

A well is drilled far into the earth, usually between 2,000 and 4,000 metres, and a mixture of water and chemicals is used to pulverize shale materials at high levels of pressure to free the natural gas from its solid state. The gas is then extracted.

Why is it so controversial?

The process utilizes chemicals in the extraction method, which can lead to damage of the environment. There’s also inconclusive data that shows fracking could lead to geological instability, causing earthquakes or corrupt surrounding groundwater. Environmentalists also suggest that oil extraction in general is antiquated and newer, cleaner methods of power generation should be explored further. Disposing of used fracking water is also an environmental issue.